You made the right choice leaving the original handle and removing the paint to expose the beauty of the axe head. I have several regrets in my past restoring axes over the years. You never stop learning and that’s the best thing about videos and learning from you guys! Thanks for sharing! Bobby
Spot on Bobby! I feel like every axe guy i talk to has a similar story. Myself included. There are a few heads I found back in the beginning that I soaked in vinegar or ground the rust off with an abrasive disk...... wish I could go back. Absolutely right were always learning. I appreciate the kind words man!!
This turned out really nice. I didn't know Plumb called them Jet Wings. Very cool. I definitely think a mobile vise stand is the way to go, i absolutely love mine. One of my first videos was making my mobile vise stand. I will be more than glad to help with any ideas or questions. Great video, as always, Nate.
I appreciate it man!!! And i definitely think it will be a project at some point. I think for orfer of operations i want to clean up the monarch first so I have a vise in use while the bulldog is out of commission for the project. That and more floor space. I need to do some reorganizing and cleaning lol
Thanks, Joey! That was exactly the goal. Spend a few hours in the shop working on something with some instant gratification, does the soul good. It almost doesn't even feel like the same axe!
Nice job on a nice axe. I really like keeping old axes as original as possible especially preserving the old handles as they just don't make them like they used to any more. Same with most other old tools.
Thanks Dale and I'm right there with you. As long as a tool is in good condition I do my best to keep it original. If it's been beat on or badly damaged that's the time to get a little creative and try something new. I thought the handle would darken up but I was still shocked with this one! It was wild haha
Good call on this one Turned out really nice. I like to keep old/original handles where I can, provided they are safe for use, or destined to be wall hangers. I really dislike paint on heads, and unless destined for a collection, it normally gets stripped. Purely personal choice and the tree don't care if an axe is painted or not. A man can't have too many vices - though my wife disagrees ;
Haha i like that "the tree don't care" I need to remind myself that one next time I get caught up in some detail of an axe. I'm with you though. I prefer the look of the bare metal and patina so much more than paint. I definitely think the vise project will be coming this winter or spring. It's been a handful of times I've thought it would be handy! I appreciate the kind words man!
I love my green scotchbrite finishes on heads but on handles I usually stick with steel wool or fine grit drywall sandpaper sponge. That handle is craziness. The head came out looking fantastic. I'll never understand why people pant their heads like that. It is possible these were used at like a local volunteer fire department?
Thanks man! I definitely need to pick up some of those disks to test out. Both you and Normandy love them. It's very possible that they did. I remember the listing said fire axes so my best guess is someone covered both in red paint just to prevent rust and cut down on maintenance. It definitely kept the head in pretty good condition haha!
I appreciate it Mike! I was super happy with how well this cleaned up! Much better than I expected! I will absolutely keep you in mind if I decide to move this. I definitely either need to sell some axes/heads or build some more storage haha. It all filled up very quickly.
You made the right choice leaving the original handle and removing the paint to expose the beauty of the axe head. I have several regrets in my past restoring axes over the years. You never stop learning and that’s the best thing about videos and learning from you guys!
Thanks for sharing!
Bobby
Spot on Bobby! I feel like every axe guy i talk to has a similar story. Myself included. There are a few heads I found back in the beginning that I soaked in vinegar or ground the rust off with an abrasive disk...... wish I could go back. Absolutely right were always learning. I appreciate the kind words man!!
This turned out really nice. I didn't know Plumb called them Jet Wings. Very cool. I definitely think a mobile vise stand is the way to go, i absolutely love mine. One of my first videos was making my mobile vise stand. I will be more than glad to help with any ideas or questions. Great video, as always, Nate.
I appreciate it man!!! And i definitely think it will be a project at some point. I think for orfer of operations i want to clean up the monarch first so I have a vise in use while the bulldog is out of commission for the project.
That and more floor space. I need to do some reorganizing and cleaning lol
Sometimes I love those quick and easy restos, especially when they turn out nice like really this one did. Really nice bevels and stamp.
Thanks, Joey! That was exactly the goal. Spend a few hours in the shop working on something with some instant gratification, does the soul good. It almost doesn't even feel like the same axe!
That was sure a nice find. You did a great job on the restoration
Very nice work!
Thanks you Sir! I was super excited to see the stamps were actually as deep as the were.
Nice job on a nice axe. I really like keeping old axes as original as possible especially preserving the old handles as they just don't make them like they used to any more. Same with most other old tools.
Thanks Dale and I'm right there with you. As long as a tool is in good condition I do my best to keep it original. If it's been beat on or badly damaged that's the time to get a little creative and try something new.
I thought the handle would darken up but I was still shocked with this one! It was wild haha
Good call on this one Turned out really nice. I like to keep old/original handles where I can, provided they are safe for use, or destined to be wall hangers. I really dislike paint on heads, and unless destined for a collection, it normally gets stripped. Purely personal choice and the tree don't care if an axe is painted or not.
A man can't have too many vices - though my wife disagrees ;
You are correct, a man cannot have to many vises. I have your back on this.
Haha i like that "the tree don't care" I need to remind myself that one next time I get caught up in some detail of an axe. I'm with you though. I prefer the look of the bare metal and patina so much more than paint. I definitely think the vise project will be coming this winter or spring. It's been a handful of times I've thought it would be handy! I appreciate the kind words man!
It looks great to me. I love how dark some of the old handles are.
Thanks Chad! Me too. This was definitely a fun one.
Much better! I personally don't care much for painted heads.
Thanks Brett! I'm with you. There are always exceptions but I much prefer the bare steel and patina look!
I love my green scotchbrite finishes on heads but on handles I usually stick with steel wool or fine grit drywall sandpaper sponge. That handle is craziness. The head came out looking fantastic. I'll never understand why people pant their heads like that. It is possible these were used at like a local volunteer fire department?
Thanks man! I definitely need to pick up some of those disks to test out. Both you and Normandy love them.
It's very possible that they did. I remember the listing said fire axes so my best guess is someone covered both in red paint just to prevent rust and cut down on maintenance. It definitely kept the head in pretty good condition haha!
I think it looks great ! I would be interested in it if you're going to sell it
I appreciate it Mike! I was super happy with how well this cleaned up! Much better than I expected! I will absolutely keep you in mind if I decide to move this. I definitely either need to sell some axes/heads or build some more storage haha. It all filled up very quickly.
@Nsvens89 Im looking for 2 2 1/4 or bit heavier boys axe heads a double bit cruiser if you got some for sale let me know